raising the debt ceiling does not authorize more spending. it simply allows the country to pay for spending that congress has already committed to. these are bills that are ready been racked up. we need to pay them. i am willing to compromise and find a common ground on how to reduce our deficit america cannot avoid another debate with this progress about whether or not they should pay the bills that they have already racked up. if congressional republicans refused to pay america's bills on time, so security checks and veterans' benefits will be delayed. we may not be able to pay our troops or on our contracts with small business owners. food inspectors, air traffic controllers, specialists who track down those of nuclear materials would not get their paychecks. the rest of the world would ask if the united states of america is in fact a stay at bat. market to go haywire and as rates could spike for anyone. it would be a self- inflicted wound on the economy. that would slow down our growth and tip into recession. ironically, it would increase